Israel Highlights Tour – 8 Days

Sunday Arrival – Tour itinerary

DAY 1 – Sunday: Arrival, Tel Aviv

Upon arrival to airport meet our representative and transfer to hotel in Tel Aviv.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

DAY 2 – Monday: Beer Sheba, Masada, Dead Sea

Leave Tel Aviv, via Ashdod and Ashkelon to Beer Sheba. A short visit to the Negev capital.

Continue via Arad to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the fortress, which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod’s palaces, the synagogue, bathhouse, etc. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea.

Descend for a possible float in the in the salty water of the world’s lowest place – The Dead Sea

Proceed to Jerusalem for overnight.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 3 – Tuesday: Jerusalem : The New City

Start the day with a panoramic view of Jerusalem from atop the Mt. of Olives.

On to the Garden of Gethsemane and Church of the Agony.

Continue to Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book with the famous Dead Sea scrolls, then a visit to the beautifully renovated Model of the Herodian city of Jerusalem, dating back to the time of the Second Temple.

Continue to Yad Vashem (the memorial to the six million Jews who were killed in the Holocaust.

Afternoon drive to the picturesque village of Ein Karem (the birth place of John the Baptist).

Visit Machane Yehuda, to experience the flavors, aromas, colors and the traders interaction with the crowds at the Open Market in Israel.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 4 – Wednesday: Jerusalem, Bethlehem

Enter the Gates to the walled Old City to visit the renewed Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall, the Temple area, the colorful bazaars.

Walk along Via Dolorosa and the stations of the cross, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Drive to Mt. Zion and visit the tomb of King David, the Room of the Last Supper and Dormition Abbey.

Afternoon continue to Bethlehem* to visit the Church of the Nativity and return to Jerusalem for overnight.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

DAY 5 – Thursday: Beit She’an, Nazareth, Galilee

Leave Jerusalem, and drive north via Jericho*, the oldest city in the world.

Travel through the Jordan Valley and the new settlements to Beit She’an.

Visit the excavations of this beautiful preserved Roman city.

Proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and the carpentry workshop of Joseph.

On to Safed, city of the Kabbalah, for a walk through the mystic alleys, a visit to a synagogue and the artists’ colony.

Continue to a Kibbutz hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Galilee.

DAY 6 – Friday: Golan Heights and around the Sea of Galilee

Drive to the Golan Heights, passing by the Druze villages

Visit a former Syrian fortification on the heights.

Pass via Banias, source of the Jordan River.

Enjoy an Israeli wine country experience, with vineyards surrounded by breath-taking views. Become acquainted with the collection of fine and rare wines, enjoying a tour, wine-tasting and understanding of the wine production process.

Descend to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, visit the Mt. of Beatitudes and the ruins of the ancient synagogue and Peter’s house at Capernaum.

Visit Tabgha, where the miracle of the fish and bread took place.

Continue to Tiberias for a short tour of the old center of Jewish learning.

Optional sailing in a boat across the Sea of Galilee to experience the tranquility and scenery little changed during the past 2000 years. (subject to conditions and fees)

Return to the Kibbutz hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Galilee.

DAY 7 – Saturday: Acre, Haifa, Caesarea ,Tel Aviv, Jaffa

After Breakfast drive west to Acre for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications.

Continue to Haifa, for a sightseeing tour of the city, including the Bahai Shrine, Persian Garden and Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the city and the bay.

Proceed along the coast to Caesarea to visit the Roman Theater and the Crusader fortress.

End the day with a short city tour of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

DAY 8 – Sunday: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for departure, or extend your tour to the kingdom of Jordan and/or Egypt.

*Site under the Palestinian Authority jurisdiction. Visit subject to local conditions.